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Saturday, August 28, 2010

Sixteen year old Sidney Biggs is a "good kid"-smart, pretty, self-aware. No one doubts that she'll go far in life. But lately her mother worries that Sydney is wandering down the wrong path and getting all caught up in petty teenage rebellion and shenanigans. When Sydney and her best friend, Natalia, "borrow" a car to go to a party and then get escorted home by the police, their parents pack them up and ship them off to a hard-love wilderness camp to stop this behavior before it gets out of hand, before things go too far. The problem is, they already have.

Sydney the "good kid" is pregnant.

In the wilds of Canada-where the girls are to spend the next four weeks canoeing, camping and foraging for food-time is ticking, because Sydney isn't sure what she wants to do about this baby. And she certainly isn't expecting the other heady issues that will confront her as she forges friendships with her adventure mates, including a guy who makes it no secret he is a major thug, and a teen television heartthrob with a secret of his own, not to mention her own best friend-who is adamant about what Sydney should do.

My Thoughts:

First let me start off my saying that this book cover really doesn't match the story. On the cover we have a beautiful sun tanned girl with a smile on her face and what appears to be-not a care in the world.....a little misleading.

This story deals with some very tough topics like teen pregnancy and abortion.

Next I will tell you that I loved this story! I really LOVED it!

Sydney is a good girl who makes a bad choice- now she's dealing with the consequence-an unplanned pregnancy. She in the middle of the frikkin wilderness. There are no doctors, helpful nurses or Planned Parenthood.

Stuck in the middle of the Canadian wilds Sydney tries to come to terms with her pregnancy and then the decision to keep the baby or have an abortion. Meanwhile her best friend Natalia has just received the news that her big sister is really her mother. As Natalia grasps the meaning of these and tries to understand what made her mother/sister give her up she offers Sydney some very strong opinions of what she thinks Sydney should do about her pregnancy.

During the entire trip we gain insight and perspective into Sydney's thought process and then are there for her ultimate decision. I don't want this review to contain spoilers so I'll stop here. I will say that I found this story to be emotional and enlightening. I felt that Nina de Gramont did a very good job writing about a very real issues.

I bought this book used on Amazon.com and will be donating it to either my local high school library or my public library. It's a book that should be on shelves and available for teens to read.

Friday, August 27, 2010

Every week I find fabulous blogs to follow and super cool books to add to my leaning tower of TBR books. Come join the fun. Follow the link and add your blog. It's A Book Hopping Good Time! AND DON'T FORGET to enter my GIVEAWAY for a copy of MOCKINGJAY. Even if you own a copy yourself it would make a great gift to a friend or an awesome donation to your school or public library!

This week's question:

Do you use a rating system for your reviews and if so, what is it and why?A great question and the answer is no. I have yet to come up with a rating system that screams "Tammy! You must use me because I am perfect, genius and I fit your personality and blog to a tee!" Maybe I'm putting the bar to high? Not sure. I would love to come up with something in the future-but it doesn't keep me up at nights. I can't wait to see how other bloggers answer this question. Maybe I'll get some ideas and inspiration.

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Goodreads Summary:Being sent to your room is one thing. But being sent to another country? Morgan's boyfriend dumped her on the last day of school-it seemed the only thing to do was to hack off her hair and dye the stubble orange. Unfortunately, Morgan's parents freaked and decided a change of scenery would do her good. So they're sending her off on a bike tour of Ireland. But Morgan gets more than she bargained for on the Emerald Isle-including a strange journey into some crazy, once upon a time corner of the past. There, she meets fairies, weefolk, and a hunky warrior-dude named Fergus, and figures out that she's got some growing to do-and she doesn't just mean her hair.My Thoughts:The first thing that caught my eye was the cover, it's so cute and cool! It made me want to pick up the book immediately and find out what the story was about. I was not disappointed. It was a super fun story to get lost in.Morgan is a girl on the edge-or so her parents think. Her boyfriend has just dumped her and she is depressed as hell. After chopping off all her hair and dying what left of it orange they decide to take matter into their own hands and send her off to Ireland for a cross country biking trek. Morgan is pissed off and not about to enjoy herself in any way.Well, that's until she meets Colin-the cute Irishman in charge of transporation for her bike tour. Suddenly the situation is looking up. Then things get really crazy when Morgan crashes her bike, hits her head and is immediately transported to ancient Ireland where horses talk and fairies run amok casting spells. Morgan travels between both worlds throughout the story trying to hook up with Colin-in the present, while trying to figure out how to save a village from an evil spell that's been cast over it.This story is fun, sassy, and filled with humor. I loved Morgan who is a witty, sarcastic teen just trying to figure out who she is. I was so excited to see that Morgan's story continues with a second book called How I Found The Perfect Dress. I can't wait to see where her next adventure takes her.I borrowed this book from my public library through our Inter Loan Library System.I recommend this book for readers 14 and older for language and content.

IT'S FINALLY HERE!!!MockingJayby Suzanne CollinsUnless you live under a rock you know that it's the day after the BIG release. It seems like August 24th took forever to get here! I have been avoiding other blogs like the plague because my copy is currently in route and should be here by the weekend. Keep your distance because my squeal of joy may burst your ear drums.To celebrate this glorious day I purchased two copies of Mockingjay. One to keep and the other to giveaway.To enter will be a rather painless process so here are the details:1. You MUST be a follower of this blog.2. You MUST be 13 years old.3. You MUST leave your email address in comment section-so I can get a hold of you if you win this amazingly awesome giveaway.4. You MUST heap loads of compliments indicating that you are eternally grateful for my generosity, you are in awe of my beauty and charmed by my winning personality.....okay void #4- it just makes me sound desperate and needyLastly, this contest is open to everyone! Even if you live far, far away feel free to enter.Drawing will be held September 10th.Good Luck!

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Synopsis (Product Description):Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has survived the Hunger Games twice. But now that she’s made it out of the bloody arena alive, she’s still not safe. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge. Who do they think should pay for the unrest? Katniss. And what’s worse, President Snow has made it clear that no one else is safe either. Not Katniss’s family, not her friends, not the people of District 12. Powerful and haunting, this thrilling final installment of Suzanne Collins’s groundbreaking The Hunger Games trilogy promises to be one of the most talked about books of the year.

It seems like August 24th took forever to get here!

To celebrate this glorious day I purchased two copies of Mockingjay. One to keep and the other to giveaway.

To enter will be a rather painless process so here are the details:

1. You MUST be a follower of this blog

2. You MUST be 13 years old

3. You MUST leave your contact information in comment section-so I can get a hold of you if you win

4. You MUST heap loads of compliments indicating that you are eternally grateful for my generosity, you are in awe of my beauty and charmed by my winning personality.....okay void #4- it just makes me sound desperate and needy

Lastly, this contest is open to everyone! Even if you live far, far away feel free to enter.

After a fun filled girls weekend away I sit at my computer still trying to wake up and get the energy to get in the shower and go the things I really need to accomplish today-luckily I came across this fun little time waster that will allow me to sit in my jammies a bit longer....

Friday, August 20, 2010

IT'S FRIDAY!!!I LOVE Fridays and I LOVE this meme which is hosted by Jennifer at Crazy for Books. Every week I discover awesome blogs to follow and fantastic books to add to my tower of TBR books. Come join the fun. Follow the link and add your blog. It's A Book Hopping Good Time!This week's question:

How many blogs do you follow?Last time I checked(two weeks ago) the number was 133 and climbing because thanks to this meme I find awesome blogs every week that must be followed. Keep up the good work guys! I LOVE your blogs!

From the Authors of Another Faust comes....A darkness continues to haunt the Marlowe School, and this time, someone is plotting payback.Wendy Darling a headstrong junior, and her brother John, a thirteen-year-old genius with a chip on his shoulder, struggle with being from the poorest family at the posh New York Academy, where their father is a professor of ancient civilizations.Wendy's new boyfriend, socialite golden-boy Connor Wirth, offers a solid step up in popularity, yet ambitious Wendy and John still find themselves longing for something more.When the Book of Gates, a mysterious tome of fabled origins, appears at Marlowe along with Peter, a dashing new resident adviser with a murky past, the Darlings are swept into a captivating world of "Lost Boys," age-old secrets, and forbidden places.The book opens the door to a hidden labyrinthine underworld where Egyptian myths long thought impossible become frighteningly real. Suddenly Peter, Wendy and John find themselves captive in the lair of an age-old darkness, trying to escape the clutches of an ancient and beautiful child-thief who refuses to let go.

Candlewick Press has graciously donated 3 ARCs of Another Pan for me to giveaway to 3 lucky people.

To enter these giveaway-

1. Leave your email address in the comment section-so I can get a hold of you if your name is drawn.

Saturday, August 14, 2010

From Inside Cover:Sick of hearing about vampire? So is Meena Harper.But her bosses are making her write about them anyway, even though Meena doesn't believe in them.Not that Meena isn't familiar with the super natural. See, Meena Harper knows how you're going to die.(Not that you're going to believe her. No one ever does.)But not even Meena's precognition can prepare her for what happens when she meets-then makes the mistake of falling in love with-Lucien Antonescu, a modern-day prince with a bit of a dark side. It's a dark side a lot of people, like an ancient society of vampire hunters, would prefer to see him dead for.The problem is, Lucien's already dead. Maybe that's why he's the first guy Meena's ever met whom she could see herself having a future with. See, while Meena's always been able to see everyone else's future, shes never been able to look into her own.And while Lucien seems like everything Meena has ever dreamed of in a boyfriend, he might also turn out to be more like a nightmare.Now might be a good time for Meena to start learning to predict her own future.....If she even has one.My Thoughts:Try not to gasp in shock and shake your head in the disapproving manner I'm sensing when I admit this-young adult is my favorite genre and it's what I devote my blog to- yet this is my first Meg Cabot book......PUT DOWN THE ROCKS! I know! I'm ashamed of myself too! But all that is behind me. I have done the deed, read the book and here it is- Meg Cabot is dipping a toe into the vampire pool-It's a hot subject right now, you can hardly blame her. It took me a while to warm up to Meena. Sometimes I felt that she was trying really hard to be this strong independent New York woman and other times she seemed like a big push over. Not only in the work place where her nemesis has been taking credit for all of her ideas and story lines but also in her own home where her sponge of a brother is living while currently unemployed.Then along comes Lucien- a man who seems to be everything she's been looking for in a man. He's perfect! After a hot steamy night of passion he cooks breakfast, draws a bath and walks the dog. Please! You had me at breakfast!Of course Lucien is hiding a deep dark secret-He is the Prince of Darkness. But wait a minute-Meena has a secret of her own and once that little tid bit leaks out she goes straight to the top of the vampires' Most Wanted List-and there are a lot of them hanging about in the most unusual spots.All in all I liked Insatiable. I would probably check out the sequel just to see what direction the story takes. I think Meena could grow on me-but honestly I would like to see where some of the supporting characters end up.I do plan on checking out another series that Meg Cabot writes-The Princess Diaries. I have the first book in my TBR pile and plan to read it in the near future.Insatiable is available for check out at the Salmon Public Library. It will be found in the Adult Fiction Section. I recommend it for readers 14 and up for sexual content and violence.

Friday, August 13, 2010

I LOVE Fridays and I LOVE this meme which is hosted by Jennifer at Crazy for Books. Every week I discover awesome blogs to follow and fantastic books to add to my tower of TBR books. Come join the fun. Follow the link and add your blog. It's A Happy Hoppin Good Time!

This week's question:

How many books do you have on your 'to be read shelf’?Approx. 57 in my book shelf by my bed-these will be read hopefully by the end of this year for the 100 Book Challenge that I'm participating in. Of course that's not counting the books that are in plastic protective storage boxes in my garage. Hee Hee

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Let's go back to the days of hair scrunchies and pop rocks. How about After School Specials and high waisted jeans? Memories..... This is a book I read in junior high that I thought was pretty amazing. It was all girl power and Alanna was my hero. I remember begging the librarian to purchase the next book in the series. Alas, it never happened and I moved on to other books. I saw this book in our library the other day and really wanted to read it again. Was it as special as I remember it being? Yes! It's still a great story and Alanna is still a kick ass character. The best part is that the library actually has the rest of the books in the series! Very nice for a girl who was left hanging for about 20 years!If you are looking for an oldie but goody check this book out.

ALANNA-Song of the LionessBy Tamora Pierce1983216 Pages

From Back of Book:Alanna of Trebond is no ordinary girl-her dream is to become a knight. So she disguises herself as a boy and begins training at the palace of King Roald. Alanna quickly finds out that the road to knighthood is not an easy one, but her skills and stubbornness help her become friends with Prince Jonathon and his followers. At the same time, Alanna makes an enemy of the prince's uncle, the overly charming Duke Roger. Here begins Alanna's first adventure-one that will lead not only to the fulfillment of her dreams but to a magical destiny that will make her a legend.My Thoughts:Alanna and Thom of Trebond are twins. Both with red hair and purple eyes. There is little difference between them other than the length of their hair. It's the perfect set up for and identity trade! Which of course happens because Alanna wants to be a knight and Thom wants to be a sorcerer. So a plan is hatched, Alanna disguises herself as a boy and her adventure begins. It's a great story with plenty of action, emotion and of course a few close calls where Alanna true identity is almost discovered! I look forward to reading the next book in the series- In the Hand of the Goddess.I recommend this book for readers 10 and up. It is available for check out at The Salmon Public Library.

Good Reads Description:An infant left in the trash to die. A teenage mother who never knew she was pregnant... Before that morning, these were the words most often used to describe straight-A student and star soccer player Devon Davenport: responsible, hardworking, mature. But all that changes when the police find Devon home sick from school as they investigate the case of an abandoned baby. Soon the connection is made — Devon has just given birth; the baby in the trash is hers. After that morning, there’s only one way to define Devon: attempted murderer.My Thoughts:Sometimes it's so hard to describe a book and do it justice. This is a book that I struggle with for the right words.I found this book both heartbreaking and fascinating. This story is ripped from the headlines and given a name and face. Page after page I questioned Devon's motive-I struggled to understand the reasons behind her choices. It was honest and harsh. I was surprised that I felt compassion and understanding towards Devon who committed a horrific crime-because I really didn't want to feel any thing warm or fuzzy towards Devon. Kudos to Amy Efaw who tells an amazing story. I can't wait to read more from her.Heads up on an awesome book cover-I was quite a few chapters in before I noticed the reflection of the girl.I would recommend this story to reader 14 and up due to graphic content. I borrowed this book through our Public Library's Inter Library Loan System.

Friday, August 6, 2010

3 LUCKY WINNERSWill Be drawn for 3 ARCsANOTHER PAN(ARC)by Daniel and Dina NayeriRelease Date October 2010From the Authors of Another Faust comes....

From Back Cover:A darkness continues to haunt the Marlowe School, and this time, someone is plotting payback.Wendy Darling a headstrong junior, and her brother John, a thirteen-year-old genius with a chip on his shoulder, struggle with being from the poorest family at the posh New York Academy, where their father is a professor of ancient civilizations.Wendy's new boyfriend, socialite golden-boy Connor Wirth, offers a solid step up in popularity, yet ambitious Wendy and John still find themselves longing for something more.When the Book of Gates, a mysterious tome of fabled origins, appears at Marlowe along with Peter, a dashing new resident adviser with a murky past, the Darlings are swept into a captivating world of "Lost Boys," age-old secrets, and forbidden places.The book opens the door to a hidden labyrinthine underworld where Egyptian myths long thought impossible become frighteningly real. Suddenly Peter, Wendy and John find themselves captive in the lair of an age-old darkness, trying to escape the clutches of an ancient and beautiful child-thief who refuses to let go.Candlewick Press has graciously donated 3 ARCs of Another Pan for me to giveaway to 3 lucky people.To enter these giveaway-1. Leave your email address in the comment section-so I can get a hold of you if your name is drawn.2. You must be 13 years or older3. This contest open to U.S. residents only4. Contest Ends AUGUST 15thGood Luck!!

In the spirit of the Twitter Friday Follow, the Book Blogger Hop is a place just for book bloggers and readers to connect and share our love of the written word! This weekly BOOK PARTY is an awesome opportunity for book bloggers to connect with other book lovers, make new friends, support each other, and generally just share our love of books! It will also give blog readers a chance to find other book blogs to read!

So, grab the logo, post about the Hop on your blog, and start HOPPING through the list of blogs that are posted in the Linky list. This is a weekly event! And stop back throughout the weekend to see all the new blogs that are added! We get over 200 links every week!! Your blog should have content related to books.

This week's question: Do you listen to music when you read? If so, what are your favorite reading tunes?

When I'm reading I seem to block out every single noise around me-TV, kids, husband, etc. I believe it's a super power....so to answer the question-if there wasmusic I wouldn't hear it.